Trial - Gold Trader status

[Caramba Kid]

John

Would it be more relevant for 30 positive transactions as a seller rather than all transactions?
It is after all the dodgy sellers who commit theft / mis-selling of goods, being messed around by a buyer only usually results in re-listing.

Just my 2p

Dave

 

[cyfa2809]

can we call them gold meadals instead? 'im going for gold'

 

[drystonepaul]

Being that the 'Gold Trader' status is a reaction to a very small number of bad trades, I would've thought it would be more effective to have a 'Bad Trader' banner instead.
Like this perhaps:

This would be a very effective deterent, especially when backed up with a Feedback Forum that is widely used.

Bearing in mind that the vast majority of trades and sales that happen on Retrobike are done by good, honest and trustworthy people, with no reported problems, it won't be long before everyone achieves 'Gold Status'.
At that point the banner will become pretty meaningless, unless you don't have one.
This may put new users off trying to sell things as they may be percieved as 'untrustworthy'.
I agree that the Feedback Thread should be used and I agree that in the short term at least, while everyone strives for 'Gold Status' it may see a resurgence in use. But where then...? Titanium Status?

As an aside I'd quite like to see a special banner for those who attend Retrobike Rides, as I see that as a pretty good indication as to whether someone is good for a sale, bearing in mind that they will have met other forum users and perhaps ride organisers.
Maybe like this:

Finally, what's with the special pink banners? Can anyone request them? Or should I just make my own...?

 

[JeRkY]

Being that the 'Gold Trader' status is a reaction to a very small number of bad trades, I would've thought it would be more effective to have a 'Bad Trader' banner instead.
Like this perhaps:

This would be a very effective deterent, especially when backed up with a Feedback Forum that is widely used.

Bearing in mind that the vast majority of trades and sales that happen on Retrobike are done by good, honest and trustworthy people, with no reported problems, it won't be long before everyone achieves 'Gold Status'.
At that point the banner will become pretty meaningless, unless you don't have one.
This may put new users off trying to sell things as they may be percieved as 'untrustworthy'.
I agree that the Feedback Thread should be used and I agree that in the short term at least, while everyone strives for 'Gold Status' it may see a resurgence in use. But where then...? Titanium Status?

As an aside I'd quite like to see a special banner for those who attend Retrobike Rides, as I see that as a pretty good indication as to whether someone is good for a sale, bearing in mind that they will have met other forum users and perhaps ride organisers.
Maybe like this:

Finally, what's with the special banners? Can anyone request them? Or should I just make my own...?

Sorry I dont agree with the bad trader tag, as we have seen it is all far too easy for some one to be banned/ditch an account and create a new one to carry on, but losing the reputation they had on the old account. You have to mark the trusted people, people whose reputation actually means something.

 

[legrandefromage]

do the ebay thing as you get more feedback you get differnt coloured stars

 

[drystonepaul]

Being that the 'Gold Trader' status is a reaction to a very small number of bad trades, I would've thought it would be more effective to have a 'Bad Trader' banner instead.
Like this perhaps:

This would be a very effective deterent, especially when backed up with a Feedback Forum that is widely used.

Bearing in mind that the vast majority of trades and sales that happen on Retrobike are done by good, honest and trustworthy people, with no reported problems, it won't be long before everyone achieves 'Gold Status'.
At that point the banner will become pretty meaningless, unless you don't have one.
This may put new users off trying to sell things as they may be percieved as 'untrustworthy'.
I agree that the Feedback Thread should be used and I agree that in the short term at least, while everyone strives for 'Gold Status' it may see a resurgence in use. But where then...? Titanium Status?

As an aside I'd quite like to see a special banner for those who attend Retrobike Rides, as I see that as a pretty good indication as to whether someone is good for a sale, bearing in mind that they will have met other forum users and perhaps ride organisers.
Maybe like this:

Finally, what's with the special banners? Can anyone request them? Or should I just make my own...?

Sorry I dont agree with the bad trader tag, as we have seen it is all far too easy for some one to be banned/ditch an account and create a new one to carry on, but losing the reputation they had on the old account. You have to mark the trusted people, people whose reputation actually means something.

I think that I should have said more 'appropriate', rather than more 'effective' to have a Bad Trader rather that a Gold Trader banner.

It seems that due to a recent amount of high profile, widely discussed and highly devious bad trading activity by one individual in particular, that there is a desire to improve the security of trading on the site.
This is understandable.
But as has been pointed out, the overwhelming majority of trades go smoothly and without any problems. So the trial banners have come about due to the underhand trading practices of the minority rather than any widespread abuse.

Therefore, I guess the point I was trying to get across is that it is important to make sure that bad traders are identified, but also to send a clear and visible message that bad trading will not be tolerated. This is both reactive and pro-active.

In terms of the Gold Trader banner, I am slightly uncomfortable with the fact that the burden is with individuals to prove that they are 'trustworthy'.
In the context of trading within the forum, that's easy enough if you have the surplus parts and finances to frequently buy and sell stuff coupled with people doing the honour of leaving some feedback.
If like me, you spend more time riding than haggling then it will take more time to 'qualify my trustworthyness'.
Similarly with eBay, despite being registered for nearly five years, I only have a 47 feedback score, because I don't use it that much.

Compulsory and enforced use of the feedback forum, with a link included in all sales threads would be a good measure. (If a seller doesn't at least create a feedback thread and link it to their signature then their for sale thread should, in my opinion, be locked or deleted).
A sliding scale based on the number of successful trades like the eBay stars system may also work to regulate trading.

I feel that the current Gold Trader status is a crude a way of determining who is good to trade with. You either have it or you don't, which could be seen as divisive. I'd hate to be in a position where I couldn't buy or sell something because I don't appear to have the right credentials.

If I am simply to be 'marked as a trustworthy person whose reputation actually means something' I would have thought a scan of my current enhanced CRB clearance that proves my lack of criminal record, and perhaps two references from employers or people who know me would be more appropriate.

But I am digressing into an impractical and hypothetical argument.

Anyhows... Unfortunately the persistent actions of the very few seem have now arisen the suspicions of the many.
I find this quite depressing.

 

[JeRkY]

I agree with you, its about practicality though. My first post in this thread voiced my concern about creating a two tier system where those with gold status are able to sell whilst those of us without it, although still having been active members and with a number of trades logged to our names are left in the bag of unknowns.

The Ebay star system is nice but would require one hell of a lot of admin to keep it up to date, I can't see an automated way of generating someones star colour rating.

Also where I typed "You have to mark the trusted people, people whose reputation actually means something"

It should of read along the lines of "You have to mark the trusted people, people whose reputation actually means something to them, that they are proud to have and feel is important to them to keep

IE you wouldnt want to lose your gold rating, therefore you wouldnt risk ripping some one off.

 

[john]

Right. Good grief. Where to go from here?

I have a load of PMs in my inbox, will action these later.

we have always promoted the use of the feedback forum. If people don't bother to read the guidance and/or use the forum then that is up to them. One reason for setting the 'gold trader' status up is to promote the use of the feedback system.

How does it make a two tier system? Much like ebay if you haven't completed many transactions (or bothered to use the feedback system) you won't be a gold trader. All gold trader is meant to indicate is that a seller with the status is trustworthy. Not that a seller without isn't. If people use more caution during trades with sellers who have few transactions under their belt here surely that is a good thing. Seems common sense to me.

Bad traders get banned. There is a banned rank image.

We run the classifieds here free of charge. We also spend a lot of effort through initiatives like this and personal intervention and assistance in problem resolution to ensure this is a safe place to trade. I can think of no other cycling forum that offers similar. Given some of this feedback I almost feel it'd be easier to just let the law of the jungle rule the classifieds and perhaps cover the site in flash video banners.

If everyone achieves gold trader status and uses the feedback forum that would be ideal.

 

[cyfa2809]

its seems the feedback forum is redhot now! good work john

 

[JeRkY]

I am generally in favour of the gold standard, however can see the situation where a newbie to the site decides not to purchase from one person in favour of purchasing from a gold trader.
Which in its self is not the end of the world, but if every newbie were to do it, there would be a very slow increase in people becoming "gold standard".

It isnt a problem if the newbie checks out the feedback thread and makes an informed personal opinion.

On a side note would having a poll at the top of everyones feedback forum with ebay like options of positive, nuetral and negative feedback help summarise at a glance some ones feedback thread?

John and co, your efforts are as always appreciated, just administrating a forum is like herding cats.